LOS ANGELES — Familiar with the glitz and glamor of the Dolby Theatre, Emma Stone once again graces its stage. This time, however, the two-time Academy Award winner is not competing for a golden statuette but is preparing to present an award at the upcoming Oscars. The specifics of which category Stone will announce remain a tightly guarded secret until the live telecast on Sunday.
On the eve of the Oscars, Stone was casually outfitted in a brown shirt jacket paired with a white T-shirt and jeans. She rehearsed stepping up to the microphone as if navigating high heels, a skill essential for the glamorous night. A small slip in her lines brought a moment of humor to the bustling production team around her. With a self-deprecating humor, she remarked, “Oh God, this is going to go great.”
Eventually, Stone completed her lines successfully, sharing a warm hug with a stand-in mimicking the winner for her practice category. During rehearsals, genuine Oscar statuettes are used, but the winners are temporary stand-ins, with professional actors portraying the various nominees ranging from short film directors to leading actress contenders. Details about the presenters and their remarks are kept a secret until the event itself.
Saturday morning played host to a buzz of Oscar hopefuls perfecting their roles. Familiar faces like Andrew Garfield, Whoopi Goldberg, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Miley Cyrus, Oprah Winfrey, Sterling K. Brown, Ana de Armas, Goldie Hawn, and Miles Teller made their way to the rehearsal venue for final preparations.
Winfrey, sporting high heels—likely a trial for the evening’s attire—took to the stage. Alongside her was Goldberg, drawing a standing ovation from the assembled production crew, camera operators, and public relations teams. Their partnership is notable, as both were nominees for Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film “The Color Purple.” After years of believing the other held a grudge, the pair reconnected, making their joint presentation even more anticipated, though the content remains under wraps.
Following Stone, Garfield and Hawn rehearsed their awards segment, tasked with presenting the Animated Feature and Animated Short Film categories. Garfield, casually dressed with glasses and draping a sweater over his shoulder, playfully fanned himself with an envelope, sharing laughs and good chemistry with Hawn. Their camaraderie and laughter resonated through the hall as they nailed their routine.
Randolph, last year’s Best Supporting Actress for “The Holdovers,” surveyed the mock audience filled with oversized images of stars and nominees in attendance. Her floral jumpsuit brought a vibrant touch to the rehearsal.
Meanwhile, the men, including Teller and Brown, opted for more laid-back attire. Teller sported a baseball cap with a “Late Show with David Lettermen” T-shirt, while Brown appeared ready for a workout in athletic wear. Brown and de Armas will present the Live Action Short category, enjoying a laugh over a mock winner’s well-crafted speech.
As practice wrapped up, the crew and stars paused for a lunch break in the crucial hours leading to the 97th Academy Awards. The prestigious event is set to be broadcast live on ABC and available for streaming on Hulu starting at 7 p.m. EST.
